Ultrasound-Guided Neurolysis of Six Genicular Nerves for Intractable Pain from Knee Osteoarthritis: A Case Series

Pain Practice ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arif Ahmed ◽  
Divesh Arora
2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 788.2-789
Author(s):  
B. Tas ◽  
P. Akpinar ◽  
I. Aktas ◽  
F. Unlu Ozkan ◽  
I. B. Kurucu

Background:Genicular nerve block (GNB) is a safe and effective therapeutic procedure for intractable pain associated with chronic knee osteoarthritis (OA)(1). There is increasing support for the neuropathic component to the knee OA pain. Investigators proposed that targeting treatment to the underlying pain mechanism can improve pain management in knee OA (2). There is a debate on injectable solutions used in nerve blocks (3).Objectives:To investigate the analgesic and functional effects of USG-guided GNB in patients with chronic knee OA (with/without neuropathic pain) and to evaluate the efficacy of the anesthetic and non-anesthetic solutions used.Methods:Ninety patients with chronic knee OA between the ages of 50-80 were divided into two groups with and without neuropathic pain according to painDETECT questionnaire (4). The groups were randomized into three subgroups to either the lidocaine group (n=30) or dextrose group (n=29) or saline solutions (n=31). After the ultrasound-guided GNB, quadriceps isometric strengthening exercises and cryotherapy were recommended to the patients. Visual analog scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Lequesne-algofunctional Index were assessed at baseline and at 1 week, 1 and 3 months later after the procedure.Results:Statistically significant improvement was observed in all groups with or without neuropathic pain according to VAS values at the 1stweek, 1stmonth and 3rdmonth compared to baseline (p<0.05). Statistically significant improvement was observed in all groups with neuropathic pain according to painDETECT values at the 1stweek, 1stmonth and 3rdmonth compared to baseline (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant improvement in the groups without neuropathic pain which received dextrose and saline solutions, according to painDETECT values, but not in the group which received lidocain at the 1stweek, 1stmonth and 3rdmonth compared to baseline (p>0.05). There was a statistically significant improvement in all groups with or without neuropathic pain according to WOMAC and Lequesne total scores at the 1stweek, 1stmonth and 3rdmonth compared to baseline (p<0.05).Conclusion:We conclude that in patients with chronic knee OA (with/without neuropathic pain), the use of GNB with USG is an analgesic method which provides short to medium term analgesia and functional recovery and has no serious side effects. The lack of significant difference between the anesthetic and non-anesthetic solutions used in the GNB suggests that this may be a central effect rather than a symptom of peripheral nerve dysfunction. It suggests that injection may have an indirect effect through nociceptive processing and changes in neuroplastic mechanisms in the brain. In addition, we can say that regular exercise program contributes to improved physical function with the decrease in pain.References:[1]Kim DH et al. Ultrasound-guided genicular nerve block for knee osteoarthritis: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial of local anesthetic alone or in combination with corticosteroid. Pain Physician 2018;21:41-51.[2]Thakur M et.al. Osteoarthritis pain: nociceptive or neuropathic?. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2014:10(6):374.[3]Lam SKH et al. Transition from deep regional blocks toward deep nerve hydrodissection in the upper body and torso: method description and results from a retrospective chart review. BioMed Research International Volume 2017;7920438.[4]Hochman JR et al. Neuropathic pain symptoms in a community knee OA cohort. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2011 Jun;19(6):647-54.Fig. 1:Ultrasound- guided identification of GNB target sites. Doppler mode. White arrows indicate genicular arteries.A.Superior medial genicular artery.B.Inferior medial genicular artery.C.Superior lateral genicular artery.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2015 ◽  
Vol 18;1 (1;1) ◽  
pp. E31-E38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Foad Elahi

Background: Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most common operations performed worldwide. Intractable pain following this operation is a potential debilitating complication. The exact etiology of this complex pain is unknown and the treatment of chronic pain after inguinal herniorrhaphy can be a difficult task for both the patient and the clinician. Objectives: The objectives of this study are to identify the ability of peripheral nerve electrical stimulation to decrease post inguinal herniorrhaphy pain, increase patients’ functionality, and decrease pain medication use. Study Design: Three patients with intractable pain after inguinal herniorrhaphy were included in this case series. Two patients had right-sided inguinal repair and one had a leftsided repair. Pain in these patients all began after the inguinal repair and had an average pain duration of 3.4 years after surgery. All 3 patients had been treated with multiple pain management modalities without significant pain improvement. We will describe the clinical course of these patients who presented with chronic intractable pain. After a period of failed conservative medical management and repetitive successful nerve blocks, we decided to proceed with utilizing electrical nerve stimulation as a treatment modality. Setting: This retrospective study was done at the university hospital and has an IRB assigned number. Results: After careful consideration of the patients’ history and physical examination and a thorough psychological assessment, we proceeded with a temporary percutaneous electrical neurostimulation that provided significant pain relief. Ultrasound guided permanent percutaneous electrical neurostimulation implant was shown to provide significant pain relief at 12-month follow-ups. We reviewed all existing pertinent medical literature related to the management of post herniorrhaphy pain. This case series adds to our current knowledge for chronic intractable post herniorrhaphy pain management. Limitations: This study is a retrospective assessment of a new technique that was applied to a limited number of cases. It remains to be determined whether this technique is superior to the classical open surgical technique in the future. Our findings warrant further studies on the utilization of peripheral nerve stimulation with chronic post herniorrhaphy pain. Key words: Peripheral nerve stimulation, ilioinguinal nerve, iliohypogastric nerve, nerve block, inguinal hernia repair, ultrasound guided procedure


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 145-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arif Ahmed ◽  
Divesh Arora

Introduction: The knee arthroplasty is the best option for patients with advanced osteoarthritis who have failed all other conservative options, but regrettably many patients fail to undergo surgery due to co-morbidities or other reasons. So, new alternative modes are always in demand for these patients. Methods: The ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of all the genicular nerves of knee joint was done in patients with grade III and IV osteoarthritis of knee joint, with severe pain (numerical rating scale (NRS) > 7) who had failed conservative management and intra-articular injections after a positive genicular nerve block with local anaesthetics. The demographics, pain intensity measured in NRS, Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and quality of life measured by 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire was measured at baseline and at regular intervals. Results: The average age of the patients was 61.50 ± 6.75 years. There was significant improvement in pain intensity at rest, movement and on weight bearing from 8.75 ± 0.5, 9.0 ± 0.0, and 9.0 ± 0.0 at baseline to 2.38 ± 0.51, 3.75 ± 0.46, and 4.13 ± 0.35 at 1 month and 3.13 ± 0.64, 4.38 ± 0.51, and 4.63 ± 0.51 at 6 months after the procedure, respectively (p value <0.05). The OKS had improved from 7.75 ± 1.25 at baseline to 28.88 ± 2.53 and 28.13 ± 1.80 at 1 and 6 months, respectively, after the procedure (p value <0.05). The WOMAC score had also improved significantly from 77.75 ± 4.34 at baseline to 38.38 ± 5.82 and 39.25 ± 5.12 at 1 and 6 months, respectively (p value <0.05). There was also significant improvement in the quality of life after the procedure (p value <0.05). Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided RFA of genicular nerves of knee joint is a good alternative option for patients who are having severe pain and disability from knee osteoarthritis and gives a long-lasting pain relief for more than 6 months.


2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 114-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan-Xu Ma ◽  
Yun Wang ◽  
Meng-Meng Bao ◽  
Chen Zhang ◽  
Xue-Yang Li ◽  
...  

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